'Choking Game' Claims Life Of Student

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — What is known as the "choking game" among students has been linked to the death of one of Bernards Township School District's students within the past year, Superintendent of Schools Nick Markarian wrote in a letter to parents.

It goes by many names, including "Pass Out Challenge," "Knock Out," "Tap Out," "Hangman," “Space Monkey,” “Fainting Game," "Airplaning," "Black Out," "Elevator" and “Flatliner.”

The game involves kids performing a choking-like act either alone or with a friend to temporarily lose consciousness, with the intent of awakening with a rush of euphoria.

"It is important to emphasize that research shows children who experiment with the 'choking game' alone often tragically die after the first or second time," Markarian said. "The act can involve breath-holding or robbing the brain of oxygen using ligatures about the neck. Any type of asphyxiation, even if temporary, may cause strokes, seizures, retinal damage, brain damage, or even death. Many of our children have easy access to videos via YouTube depicting others participating in this activity."

GASP (Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play) has a video explaining the dangerous "game" students are playing. The video content provided may be disturbing to some viewers.

Both the middle and high schools in Bernards Township School District have experienced deaths of students. Most recently, Gage Dobson, an eighth-grader at William Annin Middle School, died on Feb. 28. Kyra O’Dwyer, a 10th-grade student at Ridge High School, died on Dec. 9, 2016, and Ridge High School junior Martha Moye died March 29, 2016.

• See Related: Basking Ridge Middle School Student Dies
• See Related: Sorrow at Ridge High School After Sophomore, An 'Angel' Who Changed Lives, Dies
• See Related: Death of Ridge HS Junior, Martha Moye, Announced Tuesday

Markarian did not clarify which student was connected with the "choking game."

There have been a total of 45 suicides in New Jersey between 1995 to 2003 and 10 accidental deaths related to the "choking game," according to GASP, which gathered information from the Office of Chief Coroner for the United States.

The game is mainly played by students between the ages of 9 and 16, who are more likely to experiment with this type of risky behavior. The early-adolescent brain does not process information in the same manner as an adult brain, so children in this age group are not able to fully understand the serious consequences that might result, Markarian added.

Markarian recommended that parents talk with their children about the dangerous consequences of this “game” and review the search history on all their media devices.

Some warning signs to look for include:

• bloodshot eyes
• broken blood vessels on face/eyelids
• mood swings
• signs of disorientation after being alone
• frequent and sometimes severe headaches
• bruises or marks around the neck

Markarian offered clues for what to look for in your home, including knots in neckties, belts, ropes or plastic bags left in bedrooms or other private locations.

Links with more information about the "choking game" were also sent to parents:

• Choking Game Informational Sheet https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfr...
• GASP (Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play) http://gaspinfo.com/en/home.ht...
• CBS News, New York report, September 2016 http://newyork.cbslocal.com/20...

"As you discuss this with your child(ren), please remind them that they can approach any trusted adult in the school building to seek assistance for themselves or someone else," Markarian said. "Parents and guardians may contact the School Counseling Department with questions or concerns at any time."

Image via Shutterstock

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